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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What fabric was used to make the suits Linnaeus remembers his students always wearing?

2. During which season of the year is the story "The Littoral Zone" set?

3. At the time of the story, which of the following is NOT true about Carl Linnaeus?

4. At what stage of the course do Jonathan and Ruby meet?

5. Which of the following events prompts Sarah Anne to believe that she will die a spinster?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Christopher's philosopher friends think happens to swallows over the winter?

2. What were Jonathan and Ruby's romantic statuses at the time when they met?

3. How did Richard manage to obtain a handwritten letter from his idol, Mendel?

4. What is the emotional state of Jonathan and Ruby's relationship at the end of the story - when they are both in their fifties?

5. What aspects of Linnaeus' students' lives are remembered in the story "The English Pupil"?

6. Who is Sebastian Dunitz and how does he affect Antonia and RIchard's marriage?

7. What type of relationship does Linnaeus have with his family - his wife and his children?

8. How does Juliet die, and what is Christopher's reaction to the death?

9. What unique deformity was Richard born with, and how did it affect his life in adulthood?

10. What happened on the eighteenth night of the retreat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story "The Littoral Zone" Jonathan and Ruby meet under unique circumstances. How do the two scientists meet? What is their initial reaction to one another, and how does that reaction change over time? By the end of the story, what is the state of Jonathan and Ruby's relationship? Do you think they are happy with the outcome? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In the story "Rare Bird" there are two differing theories about where and how swallows overwinter. First, present the two differing scientific views about the bird behavior, and then discuss at least two experiments performed to prove these theories true or false. In the end, what conclusion did the scientists come to about the bird behavior? What impact did this conclusion have? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

In the story "The Behavior of Hawkweeds" how do genetics play a role in understanding the lives of the characters? What symbols are produced through the comparison of the hawkweed genetics and the life of immigrants in America? Do you think this symbol is successful? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 978 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample